The Trial of Billy Jack (1974): Cast & Plot
The Trial of Billy Jack is a 1974 drama thriller starring Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack, Delores Taylor and Bong Soo Han. It runs 2 hours 50 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 50m (170 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Taylor-Laughlin Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Trial of Billy Jack About?
The premise of The Trial of Billy Jack without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Billy Jack returns after a four‑year prison term for involuntary manslaughter to a thriving Freedom School led by Jean Roberts, featuring a student‑run TV that airs political exposés. Hostile townsfolk and authorities threaten the school and nearby Native Americans. He confronts a plot to shut down community and protects school's liberal ideals.
The Trial of Billy Jack Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- anti establishment
- navajo indian
- hopi indian
- arizona desert
- desert
- arizona territory
- half breed
- reference to arizona
- navajo
- reference to kent state massacre
- release from jail
- rescue mission
+38 more Show fewer
- n word
- reference to richard nixon
- reference to gerald ford
- shot in the back
- fbi federal bureau of investigation
- cia central intelligence agency
- female topless nudity
- man exposes a woman's breasts
- 1970s
- school
- student
- television station
- freedom
- governor
- prison
- native american
- yoga
- vision quest
- blood splatter
- written and directed by cast member
- tall man
- cronyism
- land rights
- exploitation
- suppression
- campaign finance
- political corruption
- ends with text
- wheelchair
- torch
- bonfire
- speech
- overturned vehicle
- car fire
- school bus
- horseback riding
- parade
- jeep
The Trial of Billy Jack Cast & Characters
Tom Laughlin leads the cast as Billy Jack, with Delores Taylor as Jean Roberts and Bong Soo Han as Master Han.
- Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack
- Delores Taylor as Jean Roberts
- Bong Soo Han as Master Han
- Riley Hill as Posner
Also Starring in The Trial of Billy Jack
· 9 more- Teresa Kelly Carol
- Victor Izay Doc
- Sacheen Littlefeather Patsy Littlejohn
- Diane Webber Belly-Dance Instructor
- Sparky Watt Sheriff Cole
- Sara Lane Russell
- Kathy Cronkite Kristen
- Gus Greymountain Blue Elk
- Geo Anne Sosa Joanne
The Trial of Billy Jack Plot Summary
What happens in The Trial of Billy Jack from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The story unfolds through flashbacks narrated by teacher Jean Roberts Delores Taylor from her hospital bed after a shooting, weaving memory and present danger into a single, reflective thread. In a courtroom, Billy Jack [Tom Laughlin] faces an involuntary manslaughter charge tied to events from the earlier film, and he speaks of a dark memory—the 1968 My Lai massacre—recounting a battlefield moment from his own Vietnam days. The verdict lands hard: guilty, with a prison term looming for at least five years.
Full summary
The whole story of The Trial of Billy Jack, scene by scene
The Trial of Billy Jack Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Trial of Billy Jack.
How Well Do You Know The Trial of Billy Jack?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main protagonist who stands trial in the film?
Seen The Trial of Billy Jack?
Movies Like The Trial of Billy Jack
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Billy Jack, Billy Jack Goes to Washington and The Jack Bull.
The Trial of Billy Jack FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of The Trial of Billy Jack, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Trial of Billy Jack?
The Trial of Billy Jack runs 2 hours 50 minutes (170 minutes).
When was The Trial of Billy Jack released?
The Trial of Billy Jack was released on November 13, 1974.
Who is in the cast of The Trial of Billy Jack?
The Trial of Billy Jack stars Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack, Delores Taylor as Jean Roberts and Bong Soo Han as Master Han, among 13 credited actors.
Does The Trial of Billy Jack have a post-credit scene?
No. The Trial of Billy Jack has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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